How to Measure Flour

It's long been said that ingredients for baking should be weighed for best results. That's all well and good, but I have measuring cups, not a scale. So what's the big deal?

The big deal is a major difference in the texture, density and overall success of your baked goods!

But relax! You don't need a scale for perfect brownies! You just need to follow these simple steps.

_{Inspired by About.com}

Step 1 How much does it weigh?

A cup of all-purpose flour, properly measured, should weigh 120 grams. The flour measured incorrectly by dipping the measuring cup into the flour can weigh anywhere from 150-160 grams. Try it out!

That's like 30% more flour than the recipe needs!

A cookie or cake made with flour measured this way will be tough and dry. Sauces will be too thick, and pie crusts crumbly and dry.

Comments

[SeaLion]

Incredible! I never knew that there would be such a massive difference...(I guess now we all know why I never suceeded in baking :P)

[ELF]

I usually just dig in the flour with the cup, and then scoop up the flour I dig loose, since that will be more fluffy. Same result :)

[Buskieboy]

this will help my Yorkshire Puddings which have been rather heavy lately and not rising as high as previously.  I am now sure it was this 120gm vs. 150gm difference!
Thanks for the excellent visual evidence!

[junits15]

only thing is, does it really matter? I mean ten to twenty grams diffrence in flour when the whole mix can be in the kilogram range, isnt that much.

[frollard]

its a percentage. Flour is the primary ingredient in many recipes...seconded usually only by sugar. 160/120 isn't just a few grams... its a full THIRD too much. That can make a huge difference.

[scoochmaroo]

Thanks for all of your great support and insight!!

[JamesRPatrick]

But don't most cookbooks use the scoop?

[frollard]

They use the scoop - the gentle scoop described in this instructable. When you lightly spoon it into the measure, it loosens the particles. Scooping compacts them in.

[Yerboogieman]

Yes, but all the recipes i use, say "2 cups of flour" etc.

[frollard]

2 properly measured cups. flour compacts...

[jeff-o]

Good info! I shall remember this - fluffy flour, not packed. Check.

[theRIAA]

my highschool cooking teacher said to scoop the flour, then "cut" it up in the measuring cup with a butter knife to fluff it up, then level it off. Always worked for me. Though, most always, you can just look at the dough and see if it needs more or less flour..

[knexsuperbuilderfreak]

cool my cus awaly messed up on mesureing things